“ The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid. ”
Jane Austen, Northanger Abbey (1817). copy citation
| Author | Jane Austen |
|---|---|
| Source | Northanger Abbey |
| Topic | pleasure stupidity books novel |
| Date | 1817 |
| Language | English |
| Reference | |
| Note | |
| Weblink | http://www.gutenberg.org/files/121/121-h/121-h.htm |
Context
“It always puts me in mind of the country that Emily and her father travelled through, in The Mysteries of Udolpho. But you never read novels, I dare say?»
«Why not?»
«Because they are not clever enough for you—gentlemen read better books.»
«The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid. I have read all Mrs. Radcliffe's works, and most of them with great pleasure. The Mysteries of Udolpho, when I had once begun it, I could not lay down again; I remember finishing it in two days—my hair standing on end the whole time.»” source
«Why not?»
«Because they are not clever enough for you—gentlemen read better books.»
«The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid. I have read all Mrs. Radcliffe's works, and most of them with great pleasure. The Mysteries of Udolpho, when I had once begun it, I could not lay down again; I remember finishing it in two days—my hair standing on end the whole time.»” source
Meaning and analysis
